Over the last few days, after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague set 12 July 2016 as the date for issuing its final award concerning the arbitration case initiated by the Philippines against China on the South China Sea issue, there are debates, analysis and concerns occurring within and from some countries.

\r\n

In light of this, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN SEN has already twice, on 20th June and 28th June, publicly made clear Cambodia’s position not to get involved in the above -said process.

\r\n

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation would like to reiterate the position of the Royal Government of Cambodia on the above-mentioned arbitration process, as follows:

\r\n\r\n

\r\n
• Cambodia views that this arbitration case is to settle dispute brought by the Philippines against China, and this proceeding is not related with all of the ASEAN Member States;
\r\n
• Therefore, Cambodia will not join in expressing any common position on the verdict
\r\n

\r\nof the Permanent Court of Arbitration who will render its decision on the dispute\r\n\r\nbetween the Philippines and China; and\r\n

\r\n
• Nevertheless, as a friend of both sides of the dispute and with the intention to
\r\n

\r\n

maintain peace, security and stability in the South China Sea as well as to sustain enormous interest for the whole region generated from the good cooperative relations, mutually beneficial strategic partnership between ASEAN and China, Cambodia would like to call on the Philippines and China to continue settling their dispute through peaceful means.

\r\n

09 July 2016